This WeekRead up on the USA PATRIOT Act, government surveillance, and labor relations in New York, then get ready for 2006 with our collection of quality websites about physical fitness, taxes, New Year resolutions, continuing education for librarians, the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, and "only in California" occupations. Happy holidays from the LII team: Karen, Wendy, Pat, Jennifer, Maria, Charlotte, and Tom.

Tip of the WeekNext week, December 29, we do not publish. We will use this week to organize some of our collections, catch up on site maintenance, and otherwise get ready for a great new year of service to our readers. Happy New Year and thanks for reading New This Week!

Electronic Surveillance Laws
Summary of state and federal laws for electronic surveillance, which "involves the traditional laws on wiretapping -- any interception of a telephone transmission by accessing the telephone signal itself -- and eavesdropping -- listening in on conversations without the consent of the parties." Features a chart showing state laws, and descriptions of the Wire and Electronic Communications Interception and Interception of Oral Communications Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and other federal laws. From the National Conference of State Legislatures.
URL: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/CIP/surveillance.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20101

NINDS Stroke Information Page
Fact sheet and related publications about stroke, which "occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells." Discusses symptoms, treatment, and prognosis, and lists organizations for more information about strokes. Some publications available in Spanish. From the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health.
URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20079

Stanford Stroke Center
Information about stroke, a condition that "occurs when blood vessels carrying oxygen and other nutrients to a specific part of the brain suddenly burst or become blocked." The "Stroke Guide" provides general information about stroke, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery. The site also features a stroke risk assessment test, information about clinical trials, news, video clips, and a section for physicians. From the Stanford University School of Medicine.
URL: http://strokecenter.stanford.edu
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20084

American Public Transit Association (APTA)
Material about public transportation from an advocacy organization. The "Industry Information" section features transit and ridership statistics, and reports and surveys about the benefits of public transportation, the connection between public transportation and greenhouse gas reduction, terrorism and public transportation, and more. Also includes news, information about government affairs, and links to related sites. Some material only available to members.
URL: http://www.apta.com
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20096

College Tuition and Undocumented Immigrants
Overview of the issues concerning the provision in the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that prohibits states "from offering in-state tuition rates to unauthorized immigrant students unless other U.S. citizens are eligible for the same rate," and the resulting state laws that do allow in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants. From the National Conference of State Legislatures, a "bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states." Some broken links.
URL: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/educ/undocimmigrant.htm
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20065

National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL)
The "2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) measures the English literacy of America's adults (people age 16 and older living in households and prisons). NAAL builds on the previous national assessment of literacy completed in 1992." The NAAL website features reports, data tools, survey and literacy background, a glossary, and links to related materials about literacy. From the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), U.S. Department of Education.
URL: http://nces.ed.gov/naal/
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20074

Rebuild New Orleans Public Library
This website for the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) provides information about recovery efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The site features information about current services, photographs and damage assessments for libraries, weekly progress reports, and opportunities for donating to the rebuilding efforts. Includes links to related information about Hurricane Katrina recovery.
URL: http://nutrias.org
LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/20100